I am
taking a religion class again this semester and I am learning about the
creation, the fall and the atonement. We learn about all of these
subjects through the scriptures, in particularly the Book of Mormon. In
the Book of Ether we read learn in this exchange with the Brother of
Jared and Jesus Christ as Jesus Teaches him, through his faith, that we are
created in the image of God. . In Ether 3:15 “Seest thou that ye are created after mine own image? Yea, even all men were created in the beginning after mine own image.
In 2 Nephi, we are taught that God hath created all things, both
in heavens and in the earth, both things to act and things to be acted upon.
He created our first parents Adam and Eve, “and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created," We
are taught the need in Heavenly fathers plan for opposition, for how
could we know the bitter without the sweet. Heavenly
Father did this so that we could experience happiness and sorrow. He did this
so we could learn to act for ourselves and he provided a Savior to atone for
our sins so that we could repent and return to him when we leave this
life.
The bitter.
I have two friends whom I dearly love! One of which
was married to the most amazing and incredible people I have had the
opportunity to know. She was taken from him, her family, and friends last
summer, when her time hear on earth expired and she was taken home to our
Father in Heaven after complications due to a very long battle with cancer. This
is the bitter. The sweet is the knowledge that she isn't gone forever but
that through the plan of redemption and happiness we will
get to see her again. The sweet is watching our friend find happiness again and
comfort in the plan of our Heavenly Father as he begins a new chapter with a
woman who not only honors her covenants to God but honors and
respects Heavenly Fathers plan and the life of our friends 1st wife.
The sweet is knowing and seeing that Heavenly Father is kind
and desires our happiness here and in the life to come.
The Bitter. Is finding out another dear friend after having
endured what I would consider substantial trials in her life, and
recently finding out she has another serious challenge with her health and that her future is
uncertain. The sweet here is the peace she has in her knowledge of
the atonement and that she doesn't face this challenge alone and that
no matter the out come she knows Heavenly Father is in charge
and what happens will be his will. She enters this challenge with knowledge
of Heavenly Fathers love for each of us and with the freedom and
peace that through repentance and the power and grace
of the atonement she can stand with the Savior what ever the out come.
Because of her knowledge of these truths "The sweet" is also
the comfort that knowledge is to me and all those who know and love
this amazing friend.
2 Nephi 2 :6-8 Is another place in which we can learn about
the atonement of Christ and it's power and importance
in our lives.
"Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.
7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the
ends of the law be answered.
8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.
President Howard W. Hunter taught us about the Savior
using the New testament story of the ruler of the Synagogue Jairus
his daughter was sick and Jairus sought out Jesus to heel her. When he
found Jesus he fell to his knees in what Pres Hunter describes as
a great acknowledgement of faith and honor as the ruler of the synagogue would normally not kneel before anyone. “I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.” These are not
only the words of faith of a father torn with grief but are also are
a reminder to us that whatever Jesus lays his hands upon lives. If Jesus lays his hands upon a marriage, it lives.
If he is allowed to lay his hands on a life, a people, family, it lives."
If he is allowed to lay his hands on a life, a people, family, it lives."
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